Hooray, your first cycling holiday is booked! And now what?
We always recommend going out well prepared, but what is good preparation? You know in advance what the longest day will be. Try to have covered this distance beforehand. That way you will know for sure what it feels like. You can prevent sore buttocks and legs by cycling several days in a row. Take it easy, bring the right clothes and bring enough food and drink. As our route scouts and colleagues already have a lot of experience with (multi-day) tours, they have thought about what should not be missing in the (cycling) bag. We will gladly help you with a cycling holiday packing list and tips on what to bring on a cycling holiday.
Safety
Before you leave the hotel it is advisable to check the weather forecast at reception, the locals are often well informed about what is going to happen that day. Especially in the mountains, paths may be closed due to avalanche danger, for example.
What to take with you on the road:
First aid bag
Make sure you have a first aid bag in your daypack. Always carry a rescue blanket in your first-aid bag. And remember: a golden man is a cold man. So in case of hypothermia, the gold side should be up. When overheating, the silver side should be up. Also, the following should always be present: scissors, needles, sterile gloves, pins, tweezers, tape, bandages, plasters (large and small), alcohol, sterile gauze, and a bandage. What I then often add is a drawing pen, some extra gauze bandages and blister plasters. In a small bag you can fit more than you think and it hardly takes up any space in the rucksack. Better safe than sorry.
Whistle
No matter how much fun a multi-day hike is, there are dangers involved. If you find yourself in danger for any reason, you will need to be able to attract the attention of those around you. You can do this, for instance, by blowing a whistle. You can also use it when you are in the company of (predatory) animals.
Sunburn
Always apply a cream with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor), because even when the sun is not visible, your skin is exposed to UV radiation. With a factor 15, you are already 93% protected against sunburn.
Navigation
Before leaving, make sure you know how to navigate. Which GPX file belongs to which day, how to read the device. Do all cables work, is the device charged? When you book a trip with us, you get access to our own navigation app 'Ride With GPS'. Here you will get a clear explanation on how to use the app. Not sure what to do? We will gladly explain it to you.
Food & Drinks
If you make an effort on hot days, you will need more than 2 litres of fluid per person. Because of the exertion, you are likely to sweat. To replenish salts and minerals, you can use sports drinks. An isotonic drink is very suitable for this purpose. You can bring this ready-made, but there is also powder available to make your own isotonic drink along the way.
Most of our routes run through or past villages. You can choose to have lunch or get food here. However, it is always wise to take something nutritious with you. For example, a Snickers and banana. What I myself always enjoy eating is a home-made “trail mix”. This involves a ziplock bag with different nuts (and chocolate). Like M&Ms, chocolate, cashews and almonds. But sultanas or cranberries are also a good addition. Very nutritious and tasty!
Clothing
Prefer not to wear cotton clothing. This fabric retains moisture and causes you to cool down quickly. It also feels heavy when wet or sweaty. Choose an underlayer made of merino wool, for example. This fabric has good insulating properties and dries quickly. Another advantage of merino wool is that it also has antibacterial properties. This ensures that the clothing is less prone to smell but also that it needs to be washed less. Airing is often enough. What also comes highly recommended: merino wool socks.
Work with three layers: a (merino) undershirt or shirt, middle layer such as vest or jumper and an outer layer like a good mackintosh. Be prepared for all types of weather, especially in the mountains. Also, always carry a pair of extra socks in your daypack, you never know if you will get wet feet along the way.
When cycling for several days in a row you may suffer from saddle sores. To avoid this, you can invest in a good pair of cycling shorts or cycling pants. The latter is super handy when you prefer to cycle in your everyday clothes or when you want to grab a terrace on the way. No one sees it! After many kilometres of pedalling, your feet can get sore. Make sure you have sturdy shoes with a decent sole.
